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Lions Clubs International - District 105M - Midland News

Ordinary People doing Amazing Things


 



Up up and away.... 

 

 

The flight took place on a beautiful sunny evening on the 1st September at 5:30 pm and flew from Battlefield Farm in Shrewsbury. The flight was about an hour and 20 minutes in duration, it flew a total distance of 12 miles and at an altitude of 2500 feet (please excuse my reference to imperial measurements, but I'm and old man and too set in my ways to change) the lady concerned, Doreen Saxon suffers from both physical disabilities and learning difficulties,I had to lift and carry her into the balloon's basket prior to the flight and out of the basket post flight.

The Virgin pilot and crew bent over backwards to make her experience an unforgettable one , as did the other passengers, of which there were 16 in total. many made comment of her bravery.



 

Doing the job I do, seeing the things I see on a daily basis, it was simply magical to be able to be a part of making the lifelong dream of Doreen come true. May I take this opportunity on behalf of Doreen herself, her family, Alison Davies at Mencap and myself, for your support and patience in this matter. Without you and your members at Walsall Lions, this project could not have got off the ground, if you will excuse the obvious pun.

I hope these photographs of the day are good enough for your needs , the people in the photograph are, on the left, myself, Austen Farn, a West Midlands Police Sergeant from Birmingham North LPU (and an ex member of Aldridge Lions Club). in the middle, Doreen Saxon and Alison Davies from Mencap, on the right , the person who did all the hard work continually booking and rebooking the event, each time it was cancelled.

Once again many thanks for your continued support to the people of Walsall, and I hope we are able to work together again in the future.



 

Austen Farn  
PS 2087 Sutton Coldfield Police Station



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